Reports& surveys

Which are the most admired indies? The Peer Poll reveals the 10 production companies that are most respected by their rivals, based on votes and feedback to the Production 100.
1. Keo Films

Keo Films is voted the top indie for the first time in the Peer Poll, on the back of series like Hugh’s War on Waste, Skint and Eden. Rivals cite Keo for its ‘bold and high quality docs’, ‘purpose’, ‘campaigns’ and for its ‘ambition, scale and originality’.
2. Minnow

Minnow bounds up from ninth to second place, thanks to standout docs like The Detectives as well as hits like SAS: Who Dares Wins. Minnow has ‘impressive film makers delivering must see programming with great access and production values’, notes a rival. Another says Minnow is a ‘small company which is on the rise with good people in it’.

3. Kudos

Humans and Broadchurch producer Kudos rises from fifth to third. Rivals pick up on the drama indie’s strong production values, admiring its ‘sustained achievement over the years’ and for the ‘quality’ and ‘breadth of its programme making.’

4. The Garden

ITV-owned The Garden has long been a presence in the Peer Poll. Rivals cite its ‘good production values’ and its ‘clever ideas, brilliantly realised.’ It is the ‘master of the rig show’, and ‘attracts, nurtures and retains excellent creative talent.’

5. Red Production

Happy Valley producer Red moves up from eighth place following a year in which it has produced five drama series. The Manchester indie is rated for its ‘ambitious and diverse writer led ideas’ as well as its ‘range and quality’.

6. Studio Lambert

The maker of popular factual hits Gogglebox and Tatoo Fixers, Studio Lambert ‘continues to come up with simple, brilliant programmes’ and ‘knocked everyone out of the park by adding Tattoo Fixers to its already very impressive portfolio’.

7. Love

With Bake Off and Benefits Street in its portfolio, Love is rated for its ‘ambition, scale and originality.’ One indie says Love ‘keeps up a stream of big hits, is fresh-thinking and keeps development at the heart of its business.’

8. Baby Cow

As well as appearances from Alan Partridge, the comedy indie has produced a raft of shows in the past year including the reboot of Red Dwarf and Julia Davies’ Camping. Baby Cow has ‘a great scripted comedy portfolio’ says one indie.

9. Tiger Aspect

The diversity of Tiger’s output – from Ripper Street to Benidorm to Mr Bean earns it admirers. ‘Efficiently run’, Tiger is ‘a class act’, creating ‘original, funny, well made TV’. It has a ‘spread of drama, comedy and factual with all broadcasters.’

10. Raw

Best known for Discovery hit Gold Rush, Raw has spread its wings to make dramas like Cyberbully and feature docs like The Imposter. Raw has a ‘superb business model’ and its productions are ‘stylish and filmic’, say rival indies. Raw is particularly admired for winning so much business from US broadcasters. Raw has ‘slayed the American beast’, says one competitor.